WTB- Muromachi or earlier tachi. Scoped the market but can't settle.

[hinkitetsu]

Fellow nihonto enthusiasts,

after a long search in online auctions and Japanese websites I reach out to you because there always seems to be something (pictures, paper authenticity, seller reputation, price...) that looks off-putting to me. 

Hopefully I´m not being unreasonable and we can close a deal here.

 

I´m looking at a wide range of options, I want a blade that´s in good condition, papered (ideally TH), with koshirae (nice looking tsuba) and fittings (ideally gold inlayed).

I have no specific constraints regarding the school/smith, but I do tend to favor Midare over Suguha (could settle for both).

For a late Muromachi katana, I expect it to be signed and dated.

If it's Kamakura-Nanboku I also consider suriage and mumei pieces.

 

Buying from EU, budget is up to 4K€ (shipping, taxes, customs included).

 

[Rawa]

4k for tokuho def not kamakura/nanbokucho maybe @Lexvdjagt will help but drop koshirae expectations.

What are spanish custom fees for antiques? No duty with 8% vat?

[hinkitetsu]

I think once the item is within EU only sellers are taxed. Honestly I've considered a drive to look at it, pick it up if not too far away.

If source is outside EU, tariffs may vary. I did get an item through surface postal service from Japan in the past for close to nothing, I may have gotten lucky though.

I'm ready to compromise on some of the requirements as I agree ticking all the boxes would blew the budget.

[Rawa]

Check fees for antiques. 8% for older then 100 years probably. 

[Rawa]

2 hours ago, hinkitetsu said:

I think once the item is within EU only sellers are taxed.

You surely have tax on civil law transactions. And buying online is meant as buying in country where buyer is. Its hard for me to translate so called "spirit of law" but I assume sth like this tax exists in entire Europe.

[Lexvdjagt]

Does it have to be a tachi? Or is a Katana okay as well?

 

additionally TH will be hard for this budget with koshirae. I would consider saving up and going more for the 6K area to have most of your boxes ticked.

 

 

greetings,

Lex

[hinkitetsu]

Katana is okay too Lex, budget is mostly constrained by what I believe I can talk my way out of with my wife, so wish me luck on that :D

As I said TH would be ideal but I could settle for H or Kicho.

@Rawa, imports from outside EU are taxed 10%, between member states I think it does not apply. Indeed buyers here are taxed too through ITP, which varies depending on the region. This applies even to ebay scraps, but it's only enforced on named items such as houses and vehicles.

 

[Rawa]

This tax is based on value of item not category so you probably think that it only aplies to houses and cars. Buying car/house is always done publicly as you need to register those as new owner. In my country purchases above ~230€ are taxed with 2% [deal done between 2 physical persons]